Boat rudder



Oct. 20, 1942. G.-J. MARLER 2,299,400

BOAT RUDDER Filed March 27, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor @rover Jfl/wrler WWW EM Oct. 20, 1942. G. J. MARLER 2,299,400

BOAT RUDDER Filed March 27, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I m'enlor rover Mwrler Patented Oct. 20, 1942 UNITED STATES 'PATEENT' OFFICE BOAT RUDDER Grover J. Marler, Spottsville, Ky.

Application March 27, 1942, Serial No. 436,525

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in boat rudders, and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character which will be equally effective and elficient in reverse as when the boat is moving forwardly.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a boat rudder of the character described comprising a novel construction and arrangement for supporting the propeller shaft.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a boat rudder of the'character set forth which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, reliable, compact, and which may be manufactured and installed at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure l is a bottom plan view of a rudder constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view, taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view in rear elevation.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a detail view in vertical section, taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a detail view in perspective of one of the vertical shaft bearings.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a horizontal tube I of suitable metal, said tube being substantially square in cross section. The tube I may also be of any desired dimensions.

The tube I is mounted longitudinally in spaced relation beneath the bottom 2 of the stern portion of a boat hull 3. Toward this end the tube I has fixed thereon at an intermediate point and extending transversely thereacross a substantially U-shaped fiat metallic bail 4. The bail 4 is fixed on the lower end portion of a Vertical stem or post 5 which extends rotatably through a suitable gland 6 which is provided therefor in the boat bottom 2. In the embodiment shown, the gland 6 includes flanged threadedly connected male and female members 'I and 8, respectively. A collar 9 on the post 5 rests on the upper end of the male member I. Fixed on the upper end portion of the post 5 is an operating handle I0.

Vertically aligned bearings II are provided in the top and bottom of the tube I. The end portions of a vertical shaft I2 are journaled in the bearings II. The shaft I2 comprises a flattened intermediate portion I3 having mounted thereon an inclined bearing I4 in which the propeller shaft I5 of the boat is journaled. The tube I encloses a propeller I6 on the rear end portion of the shaft I5.

The vertical side walls of the tube I have extending thereinto from their forward ends inclined slots H which permit said tube to swing in opposite directions to extreme positions without fouling the propeller shaft I5. Mounted on the tube I and projecting forwardly therefrom is a plurality of substantially V-shaped guards I8.

It is thought that the manner in which the rudder functions will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Due to the fact that the tube is suspended for rotation at an intermediate point, said tube is as effective for steering or maneuvering the boat when in reverse as when going forward. Of course, the water passes through the tube I. Due to the fact that the water in which the propeller I6 is operating is confined by the tube I, the efliciency of said propeller is considerably increased. The construction and arrangement also is such as to guard the propeller against fouling.

It is believed that the many advantages of a boat rudder constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A boat rudder 'of the character described comprising a vertical post extending rotatably through the bottom of a boat, a horizontal tube of substantially square cross-section fixed on the lower end of said post, a vertical shaft journaled in the tube at an intermediate point, and a bearing on said shaft at an intermediate point for rotatably supporting a propeller shaft.

2. A boat steering and propelling mechanism of the character described comprising a vertical post extending rotatably through the bottom of a boat, a tube of substantially square cross-section, a substantially U-shaped bail fixed on the tube at an intermediate point and fixedly secured to the lower end portion of said post, a vertical shaft journaled in the tube in alignment with the post,

tatably through the bottom of the boat and fixed to said bail, means for operating said post, a bearing at an intermediate point on the shaft, a propeller shaft journaled in the last-named bearing, a propeller fixed on said propeller shaft and operable within the confines of the tube, the vertical walls of said tube having slots extending thereinto from their forward ends for the reception of the propeller shaft when said tube is swung in opposite directions in a horizontal plane, and a plurality of substantially V-shaped guards projecting forwardly from the tube.

GROVER J. MARLER. 

